A new Covid variant, named 'Stratus', is spreading rapidly across the UK and Ireland, with doctors warning of a distinctive early symptom: a hoarse or raspy voice. The Stratus strain includes two sub-variants, XFG and XFG.3, first identified in January this year.
According to the UK Health Security Agency, coronavirus cases in England rose by 7.1% in the week ending September 3, though it is unclear how many are linked to the XFG variant. In Ireland, health authorities recorded 425 new infections in the first week of September, with XFG believed to be responsible for most cases.
Dr Gareth Nye noted that while symptoms are similar to other variants, people with Stratus often experience very sore throats and a hoarse voice, rather than the more general symptoms like cough, fever, and body aches. He added that the variant is more likely to cause illness as it can evade prior immunity from infection or vaccination.
Infectious disease expert Dr Peter Chin-Hong from the University of California, San Francisco, warned that Stratus presents a wider range of symptoms, including sore throats, particularly in older individuals who were not vaccinated last year. He emphasised that the variant is more transmissible, especially with children returning to school.
Health officials stress the importance of regular vaccination against the latest coronavirus strains, comparing it to updating a phone for the best experience. The World Health Organisation classified XFG as 'under monitoring' in June due to its increasing global presence.
